The driver of a pickup truck involved in a fatal accident in Kewanee last fall pleaded guilty Thursday to aggravated driving under the influence.

Fred J. Yelm, 38, of Kewanee, appeared before Henry County Circuit Court Judge Richard Zimmer Thursday with his lawyer James Cosby and entered an open guilty plea. Two counts of aggravated driving under the influence, and one count of involuntary manslaughter/family member were dismissed by the state.

State’s Attorney Terry Patton said that at 12:58 a.m. on Oct. 14, 2012, Kewanee Police Officer William Rivord was dispatched to 517 E. Division St., where he found a gold Ford Ranger resting on the passenger side against the garage. Yelm, Kenneth Shane Armstrong, and Gary L. Vancil were trapped inside.

Patton said it took the Jaws of Life to remove the men. Armstrong suffered multiple fractures, and Vancil died from blunt-force trauma as a result of the accident.

Yelm told police he, Armstrong and Vancil had been at Misty’s Bar shooting pool from 7:30 p.m. Yelm said he drank Red Bull and vodka and did not remember leaving the bar, but only recalled being told by Armstrong to slow down.

Drug tests on Yelm showed he had cannabis and propoxyphene (Darvocet) in his system. His blood alcohol content was .239 (the legal limit is .08).

Possible penalties for Yelm include from three to 14 years in state prison, followed by two years of mandatory supervisory release, a fine of up to $25,000 and restitution. Yelm would have to serve at least 85 percent of his sentence.